Bringing a close to this amazing Lunar New Year with a delectable dinner with new and old friends at The Tyger NYC.

We started off with the Yu Sheng prosperity toss where we mixed together a colorful salad composed of several ingredients and shouted out our wishes for the new year! Then came a fantastic array of dishes, and of course, there were noodles to signify long life. So many great dishes and laughs throughout the evening!

Although it’s the end of the lunar new year celebrations, it’s the beginning of many wonderful things to come. The start to the year of the rabbit has been great, and I have so much to be grateful for. I’m grateful for the meaningful connections I’ve made this year and especially grateful to the amazing people at Visit Singapore for hosting this truly amazing dinner.

I can’t wait to return to Singapore to learn more about their culture and cuisine. It’s been over 15 years since I’ve been! Who’s coming with me?

Swipe through to see all the delicious things we feasted on this evening at The Tyger!

1. House made egg noodles w/ oyster mushrooms, katsuobushi, lemon
2. Singaporean Chili Crab Fried Rice
3. Steamed Branzino in banana leaf w/ jungle curry, aromatic herbs
4. Phnom Penh Fried Chicken w/ lime & white pepper dressing
5. Coconut Bomb

Amazing pancakes from amazing people at Clinton’s Baking Co

Rarely do we ever get to meet the owners of some of the iconic restaurants of NYC, but this past week I had the honor of meeting the owners of Clinton St. Baking Co. & Restaurant (Neil & Dede) at their other outpost in TimeOut Market in DUMBO, Brooklyn.

They’re some of the nicest people in the world and after meeting them, it made me feel even more connected and appreciative of what they’re doing. As small business owners, they continue to be involved and always making sure to put out the best products possible.

They’re famous for their pancakes (which I love), but they also have other fantastic options on their menu. But since it’s pancake month at Clinton’s Baking Co, it’s all about the rotating specialty pancakes they’re offering in February!

In addition to the classic flavors, limited-edition flavors will be featured each week at the Time Out Market New York outpost and will be available from Mon-Fri only, from 9am-3pm, dine-in or takeout.

They will feature items such as: Fresh coconut pancakes, Maple bourbon pecan pancakes, Raspberry chocolate chunk pancakes, Triple berry pancakes, and Blueberry yuzu pancakes.

They’ve been keeping this tradition for 15 years and you really shouldn’t miss out!

swipe left to see some of the delicious flavors being offered this month !

There’s a hidden treasure down in Rockefeller Center. Go down to the rink level and follow signs for Naro, and you will be rewarded with amazing food, incredible hospitality, and a memorable experience.

At Naro, you’ll discover the rich and diverse flavors of Korean cuisine. They offer a fantastic multi-course tasting menu or a la carte options for lunch and at the bar. Whichever you decide, you’ll get delicious food that highlights traditional techniques with seasonal ingredients, creating a culinary journey through Korean history.

If you haven’t been to Naro, I highly suggest you go try. It’s from the same people who own Atoboy & Atomix, so you know they put a lot of love and attention to detail in everything they do.

Swipe left to see the entire tasting menu from beginning to end and a bonus pic of the amazing NARO Bap from the a la carte menu!

1. Bugak: gosari, dubu | Pyeonyuk: beef shank, tomato, golden kaluga caviar | Mu: flaxseed bugak, doenjang, fennel bud jangajji
2. Octopus Naengchae: kohlrabi, Korean mustard, dongchimi granita
3. Abalone Mandu: shrimp, aehobak, beef broth
4. Tuna Bibimbap: gim rice, baechu namul, black garlic chojang
5. Wagyu Tteokgalbi: lotus root jorim, abalone, daepa
6. NARO Bap: sorghum rice, A5 wagyu, gyeran mari
7. Goguma: honey cream, sweet potato jam, black sugar ice cream

I traveled to Piedmont, Italy….by subway.

Ok, maybe that was a stretch. But I did get to try some of the fantastic products from this lovely region of Italy at a recent special dinner at Osteria Carlina in the West Village.

The evening featured a delicious four-course dinner, orchestrated by Italian Chef Massimo Camia, who's retained a Michelin Star for 21 years. Massimo flew from Turin to NYC alongside the delegation from the Piedmont Region.

Piedmont might be known for Langhe, truffles, and Barolo, but the region offers so much more! On this special evening, we got to try asparagus from Santena, raviolo closed with a pizzicotto (pinch), local cheeses, Vermouth and Amaro San Simone (an iconic homegrown brand with a limited regional distribution.)

If this was just a taste of what it has to offer, then I want to try it all! Who else wants to go to Piedmont with me?

Swipe left to see highlights from this wonderful event!

One of my favorite restaurants in NYC, Jua, continues to put out stellar new dishes on their tasting menu, like this slow-cooked buri with smoked fish bone sauce.

Japanese Buri, commonly known as yellowtail or hamachi, has been consumed at the Japanese dining table for years.

In the US, buri is typically prepared as sushi or sashimi, but there are so many other delicious ways to serve this delicious fish that is unique to Japan.

Chef Hoyoung's Buri is cooked sous vide, and sits on top of some potatoes, charred leek, and pickled shallots. It is then topped with a fragrant smoked fish bone sauce, leek oil, and golden osetra caviar.

When you take a bite of all the components together, it totally makes sense and is absolutely delicious! The silky buri and buttery richness of the caviar coupled with the umami-laden sauce makes it feel like a taste of the ocean. It truly captivates the palate and makes you want to eat more of it!

JUA is just one of the many amazing restaurants participating in the JFOODO (The Japan Food Product Overseas Promotion Center) and Buri Japan campaign, happening now.

I’m excited to be collaborating with JFOODO and Buri Japan to help showcase some of the best restaurants in NYC and LA that are currently serving Japanese Buri.

Check my IG stories to see which restaurants are participating and stay tuned for another NYC restaurant highlight coming soon!

A little bit of Mexico City in Times Square!

Esteemed Chef Rick Bayless has opened his second Tortazo Rick Bayless in the city, with this one located in the heart of Manhattan. I’ve been to the other location in Nomad and loved it during my first visit!

When you walk into the new cozy space in Times Square, you feel transported and excited to try everything from this Mexico City-inspired restaurant.

The menu is diverse, with bold flavors that pair perfectly with their craft cocktails and agua frescas. They also have a fantastic Latin-focused wine list showcasing small producers and female winemakers, including numerous Mexican wines not often seen in NYC.

The new space even has a walk-up to-go window where guests can order flavorful, fried-to-order churros alongside an incredibly rare single-origin Mexican drinking chocolate made from Selva Zoque cacao.

Go check out the new Tortazo in Times Square for a unique experience and a delicious taste of Mexico!

Swipe left to see everything I had during the preview.

1. Carnitas tacos
2. Torta Cubana
4. Chorizo & avocado tlayuda
5. Chipotle chicken tinga tacos
7. Single origin Mexican drinking chocolate & all the churros!
8. Tortilla soup
10. Dining Room

Whenever I want some of the freshest and best seafood prepared with Southeast Asian flavors, I always head over to see my friends at Essex Pearl.

The entire menu is fabulous, but their new Caramelized Japanese Braised Buri dish (Buri Cá Cho Tô) is absolutely incredible!

The fish is seared skin side down, and then cooked to a perfect medium rare in a coconut fish sauce in a cast iron pan before being finished in the oven. It’s then topped with fermented mustard green relish and fried garlic.

The sauce provides a nice sweet and savory taste and complements the fish perfectly. And when you try it with the relish and garlic, you get rewarded with a mouthful of amazing flavors and wonderful textures.

Essex Pearl is just one of the many amazing restaurants participating in the JFOODO (The Japan Food Product Overseas Promotion Center) and Bur Jjapan campaign, happening now.

Swipe left to see the cooking process of this dish and check my IG stories to see which restaurants are participating and go try some of these fantastic dishes!

Happy Lunar New Year!

Today is the biggest holiday of the year for the Asian community. Its the year of the rabbit, and the next few weeks will be filled with celebration, food, and superstitions.

It’s also a time for gathering with friends and family. One of my favorite places to take groups for a celebratory meal is Wu’s Wonton King. The service is always attentive and they do an amazing job of executing the Cantonese classics.

If you’ve been to Wu’s, you already know how great it is. If not, I highly suggest you go check them out!

Swipe through to see some of my favorite dishes from my meals here over the past year.

1. Braised noodle with lobster
2. Peking duck
3. New York No. 1 Wonton
4. Jumbo shrimp w/ walnut in mayo sauce
5. Famous garlic aromatic crispy chicken
6. Clams in black bean sauce
7. Sauteed snow pea sprouts
8. Seafood casserole

Let Urban Hawker do the cooking for you this Lunar New Year!

If you’re hosting a big or small party this upcoming holiday, then you have to check out the Lunar New Year Take Home Spread from some of my favorite vendors at Urban Hawker.

It’s available now through February 10th, and 48 hours advance notice is required. Pick up only! Price is $288 and feeds up to 6 people. You can order through their website at https://www.urbanhawker.com/lunarnewyear

The menu is composed of 5 special dishes prepared by different vendors:

• Yue Sang Prosperity Salad with Smoked Salmon from White Restaurant
Yue is Chinese for fish and also represents Bounty and Prosperity. The salad is tossed communally in a ritual called Lo Hei, representing rising and achieving prosperity.

• Firecracker Spicy Fried Chicken from Ashes Burnnit
Chicken symbolizes the coming together of families, and also luck.

• Golden Salted Egg Fried Fish & Chips + Slaw from Smokin' Joe
Fish in Chinese sounds like abundance. The gold color of the sauce represents wealth and prosperity.

• Lobster Longevity Noodles from Prawnaholic Collections
Lobster, the Dragon of the Sea, symbolizes unity. The long unbroken noodles represent long life.

Swipe through to see everything that’s included!

Our last dinner in Las Vegas was at the super unique Best Friend Vegas inside of Park MGM.

We really loved the ambiance of this place — from the cool bodega-like set up out front reserved for walk-ins to the massive interior dining room that plays some awesome tunes that put you in the best mood!

The staff here is extremely friendly, while looking super fresh in their tracksuit uniforms and keeping things fun. The food was tasty and somewhat familiar, but done with Chef Roy Choi’s homage to Los Angeles.

He’s done an incredible job of creating what he calls “Koreatown in a capsule - a portal to the streets of LA, but also rooted in what makes Las Vegas….VEGAS.”

Swipe through to see all the deliciousness from this dinner!

1. Kalbi & Garlic Chicken
2. Kogi tacos - korean bbq, salsa roja, cilantro-onion-lime chili soy slaw
3. Slippery shrimp - crispy rock shrimp, chili mayo, walnuts
4. Kimchi fried rice w/ caramelized kimchi, poached egg

When one of the country’s greatest chefs, Jean-Georges, has his name on the restaurant, you know it’s going to be a good one.

Jean Georges Steakhouse located inside of Aria Las Vegas offers some incredible things like Japanese certified beef, tableside carvery, a raw bar, and so much more. I even had one of the biggest pieces of bone marrow in my life on this evening!

The gorgeous and spacious dining room has plenty of tables for 2-4 people and larger tables for families or groups coming in for conventions. They also have plenty of other proteins available if you’re not in the mood for steak. Whichever entree you decide on, be sure to order some sides as well and save room for dessert!

Swipe through to see our incredible feast from Jean Georges Steakhouse.

1. Bone in ribeye grilled over apricot wood and mesquite and finished with rendered beef fat
2. Char grilled octopus w/ smoked paprika crème fraîche and Guajillo vinaigrette
3. Bone marrow roasted with lemon gremolata
4. Cocktail
5. Crunchy potatoes w/ chili yogurt & herbs
6. Saison battered maitake mushrooms w/ chili honey, fried herbs
7. Exterior
8. Interior

It’s been a crazy past few weeks of traveling and I’m back in NYC for only 24 hours!

I wanted something delicious and comforting, so I headed over to one of my favorite spots in Brooklyn, Falansai. Chef Eric Tran’s take on Vietnamese-American is all about feeding the world delicious Vietnamese food that challenges the traditional ideas of what constitutes "American" cuisine.

Some of the dishes are inspired by his father’s recipes, while others are thought out to pair seasonal sourcing with local purveyors. They practice whole animal butchery here, producing smoked & grilled meats, house-made charcuterie, and fresh & cured sausages to name a few. They’re really doing some incredible things at this place!

Take a ride to Bushwick, go check out Falansai, and tell them Ben sent you. There’s a chance nothing might happen if you do, but I can assure you that you’ll still leave happy and full!

Swipe through to see all the fantastic dishes I tried on my recent visit!

1-2. Duck noodles - smoked duck breast, confit duck leg, house pho broth
3. Five Spice Skirt Steak - pickle slaw, salsa verde, Sobre Masa tortillas
4. Dad’s egg rolls - Berkshire pork, wood ear mushrooms, lettuce wraps, fish sauce vinaigrette
5. Blazed & Glazed -Berkshire pork shoulder, salsa verde, herb bomb, farm egg
6. Rhode Island Black Bass - spicy Bun Bo Hue broth
7. Coconut Chia Parfait - jackfruit, cashews, hibiscus ice, whipped cream
8. Chocolate Ganache Cake - salted caramel, condensed milk ice cream, vietnamese coffee, candied peanuts

Southern Hospitality at its finest can be found at Hello Monty

My absolute final stop in Chattanooga ended on the best note with the meeting of brothers Rob & Clay Gentry of Hello Monty. They’re some of the nicest guys you’ll meet and have years of restaurant and brewing experience behind them. It clearly shows with all the amazing food, beverages, and service here.

Most of my travels are primarily focused on food, but what makes each one so memorable isn’t necessarily just about what I eat. It’s the people I meet along the way which makes it so special. It’s people like Rob & Clay that have given me a deeper appreciation and connection to this amazing city.

I loved Chattanooga when I first came in 2018 and I love it even more now. Huge thank you to everyone I met along the way and to Visit Chatt for having me back. Can’t wait to visit again!

Swipe through to see all the delicious things I had at Hello Monty and add this place to your list!

1. Owners Rob & Clay Gentry
2. Cup & char pepperoni flatbread w/ jalapeno ranch
3. Crispy brussels sprouts w/ charred lemon aioli
4. Icy Blue Mussels - dynamo helles lager, romesco sauce, charred lemon, grilled bread
5. Collard greens melt - niedlov’s pan bread, sweetwater valley white cheddar, provolone, gruyere, parmesan, roasted garlic, potlikker au jus
6. Springer Mtn Farm’s chicken - spiced yogurt marinade, herbs, pickled onions
7. Interior

Our last night in Chattanooga called for a celebratory meal at Bridgeman’s Chophouse, an upscale chophouse that features USDA Prime Beef and some of the freshest seafood in the city.

Housed inside the historic Red House Hotel, Bridgeman’s was named after Peter “Rabbit” Bridgeman, who was one of the most well-known employees of the hotel for 47 years. He served locals and visitors alike and almost never forgot a name or face. The restaurant was named in his honor for his dedication to his guests.

In keeping with Peter’s tradition, our server provided wonderful service and took great care of us throughout the night. The food was fantastic and what you would expect from an upscale steakhouse - high quality meats, fresh seafood, and generous sides. Just remember to leave some room for dessert!

If you’re looking for a special place for dinner in Chattanooga, be sure to add Bridgeman’s Chophouse to your list.

Swipe through to see what we had!

1. Prime bone-in ribeye 20oz
2. Lobster bisque
3. Crab Corn soup
4. Dining room
5. Entrance

These are not your average pork rinds.

This humongous mound of deliciousness comes from Main Street Meats, located in the historic Southside district of Chattanooga. It’s part neighborhood butcher shop, part restaurant and bar, and all things amazing.

We were supposed to come here for an afternoon “snack,” but the menu looked so good that we couldn’t refrain from ordering more.

When our server told us the the special of the day was beef shank/oxtail chili, I felt like Superman being exposed to kryptonite, because all of those things make me weak in the knees.

Main Street Meats is also well known for the burger here, and I can confirm that it truly does live up to its reputation. So good!

Swipe through to see everything we had and bookmark this place if you come to Chattanooga!

1. Pork rinds w/ harissa mayo
2. Daily cured meat & cheese selections
3. Refreshing carbonated ginger beverage
4. Homemade beef shank & oxtail chili
5. House made fries
6. Broccoli w/ garlic, aleppo, parmesan
7. Butcher shop
8. Exterior

I’ve landed in Chattanooga!

Tucked between the mountains of Southeast Tennessee, along the beautiful Tennessee river, Chattanooga is a beautiful city with tons of fun things to do with great places to eat and drink.

I actually came here in 2018 during a very transformative year in my life and had the best time ever. This time around, I’m back to visit some old and new places and can’t wait to share my adventures with y’all!

As soon as we landed and checked into the Moxy Chattanooga Downtown, we headed over to Calliope Restaurant, a modern Levantine restaurant helmed by Chef Khaled Albanna.

The space here is stunning and the food, equally as beautiful. Chef Khaled’s dishes are packed with flavor and great for sharing!

It was so nice to spend some time with Chef and hear his story about how he got into cooking and ended up in Chattanooga. It’s moments like these that make me feel more connected and appreciative of the restaurant and understand what they are all about.

If you’re anywhere in Tennessee, I highly recommend you go check out Calliope Restaurant!

Swipe through to see all the amazing dishes we tried and follow along my IG stories these next few days to see where me and my bestie visited in Chattanooga!

1. Whole branzino - smoked tomato tahini, carrot matubcha, chermoula
2. Deviled eggs - baharat spices, mustard & coriander seeds, fresh za'atar
3. Labneh - yogurt cheese, za'atar, olive oil, herbs
4. Shish tawoo - marinated chicken, grilled onions, green shatta, toum
5. Lamb sausage - merguez spice, scallion labneh, pickled turnips, mint
6. Interior of Calliope
7. Chef Khaled Albanna

My mom makes a pretty fantastic bowl of congee, but nowhere near to the level of the one from 63 Clinton.

After months of having this place on my “need-to-visit” list, I finally made it in to 63 Clinton. Needless to say, my expectations were met and the experience was even more memorable because of my amazing dining partners.

Chef Samuel Clonts' menu is thoughtful and fun, while utilizing the best ingredients along with his years of experience in fine dining. Every course popped with interesting flavors and textures.

The staff is friendly and attentive, which matched perfectly with the chill ambiance and playlist. It’s exactly the kind of environment I love eating in - elevated dining without any fluff or pretentiousness.

If you haven’t been to 63 Clinton, you should put it on your list and don’t wait too long like I did!

Swipe through to see highlights from my delicious dinner a few weeks back. 👈🏻

1. Shellfish Congee - peekytoe crab, pickled shiitake w/ norwegian langoustine
2. Breakfast Taco - ajitama, hash brown, smoked trout roe
3. Caviar Hand Roll
4. Spanish Mackerel - jimmy nardello, bulls horn pepper
5. Demkota Ranch Beef Tartare - asian pear, charred leeks w/ hokkaido uni
6. Dining room w/ awesome people

The flavors of Taiwan, but executed at the highest level.

At Koto Restaurant in Downtown LA, Chef Jon Yao does an amazing job showcasing Chinese flavors with the best ingredients he can find. The dishes are creative and delicious, while giving me feelings of nostalgia and comfort.

Their new space at Row DTLA is absolutely stunning and a huge upgrade from their previous spot inside a strip mall in West LA. The staff is a bit larger now, but still as attentive, warm, and hospitable as my last visit on the west side.

With a full liquor license, a new address, and bigger space, I’m excited to see all the even greater things this restaurant will accomplish!

Swipe through to see highlights from this incredible meal I had a few weeks back.

1. Duck - menegi, duck sausage
2. Caviar w/ celery, corn
3. Milk bread w/ French cultured butter
4. A5 Wagyu - beef tendon, sour Chinese mustard
5. Chef Jon Yao

A truly fantastic dinner at Routier, one of my favorite meals this past week in SF.

Routier is a French-ish restaurant, but more importantly, it’s just a place that serves really great food and wine. It’s totally unpretentious, super chill, and filled with great energy. The entire staff here is extremely hospitable and truly takes care of you throughout the entire meal.

This is the kind of place you can go to for a casual dinner, a date, a celebration, or just about anything. It’s one of those places I would definitely go back to often if I was a local in SF.

I highly recommend recommend you check this place out soon if you want to try these exact dishes or wait until the new menu items coming out soon as well. Either way, it’s going to be awesome!

Huge thanks to Belinda, Michel, and Chef JP for this incredible dinner!

Swipe through to see everything I had.

1. Corn risotto, chanterelles, hazelnut and smoked Fiscalini cheddar
2. Dungeness crab pave, spiced mayonnaise
3. Heirloom tomatoes, tonnato, capers and bread crisps
4. Albacore tempura, garlic scape, summer squash, miso aioli
5. Crispy Monterey squid w/ beurre diable, pickled chilies
6. Crispy Alaskan halibut, beurre blanc, summer truffle
7. Rose-vanilla cream, lychee and berries, crisp meringue
8. Dark chocolate mousse, coffee crumble, and chantilly

I think I prefer tostadas over tacos.

This revelation came about at my recent meal at Ensenada. The mariscos and mezcal restaurant located in the heart of Williamsburg proudly celebrates contemporary Latin American coastal cuisine and does it in such a beautiful way.

Chef Luis Guayaba (formerly of Cosme, Blanca) has created a fantastic menu that is seafood-focused and executed wonderfully with amazing flavors and textures throughout.

Ensenada is inspired by fresh fish concepts in Mexico City and fish taco carts through Baja California. The menu showcases ceviches (inspired by Peruvian + Mexican interpretations), a variety of aguachiles, and fish and shrimp tacos served Ensenada style.

Mexican cuisine is still a little foreign to me, but I’m really loving the recent meals I had at spots like Ensenada.

Swipe left to see highlights from our fantastic dinner.

1. Tostada de vieira — scallop, labneh, salsa seca, jicama, apple
2. Tostada de atun — guacamole, salsa macha, plum sesame seeds
3. Taco pescado (fish)
4. Taco camaron (grilled shrimp)
5. Soft shell crab — melon salad, crab broth, sungold tomatoes, peanuts
6. Pescado del dia "al pastor" — whole roasted butterflied, pastor adobo, roasted pineapple relish, pineapple butter, tortillas
7. Hibiscus pie — maria cookie crust, chocolate ganache, hazelnuts, sea salt